Racer and the Jailbird (Michael Roskam, 2017): Belgium

Reviewed by Savasia J. Vida at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, 2018.

Racer and the Jailbird is sort of like the modern day Belgium version of Bonnie and Clyde, except Bonnie isn’t entirely on board with the robbing schemes. Director Michael Roskam gives a stunning, heart-wretching criminal drama about the relationship between Gigi and Bibi, as these two lovers experienced love at first sight despite their opposite interests. Gigi, a professional bank robber, is notorious for skillfully planning bank robberies in various countries in Europe with his gang. When he meets Bibi, a young racing driver from a wealthy family, he automatically declares his interest for her as their relationship quickly develops in both Act I and II of the film.

The film’s narrative is organized through title cards labeled “Gigi”, “Bibi” and “No Flowers” respectively; this organization gives us a sense of the narrative’s emphasis on each of the characters. As we explore Gigi’s life, we quickly understand his criminal nature as he lies to Bibi about his whereabouts when he’s on a robbing mission. However, there is this display of genuine love and emotion that Gigi has towards Bibi; I found this element extremely powerful as it shaped my connection to Gigi and provided this emotional depth that clarified their love. As for Bibi, we see the complication she deals with behind Gigi’s back that impacts their future. Roskam plays with the notion of discrepant awareness throughout the rest of the film as the situations Gigi and Bibi find themselves in is both unforeseen and devastatingly surprising in the following scenes. Within the “No Flowers” section of the narrative, the love between Gigi and Bibi is emphasized the most, especially through the actions they do individually that are actually for each other.

I will admit: Racer and the Jailbird is a tear-jerker for those who love to see the various representations of love in films. You will root for each of the characters to get what they truly want, despite the complicatedness of their decisions and actions. The film’s essence illuminates the theme of how versatile love can be.


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